IWC hosted a wonderful dinner last week on June 2nd with special guest Mr. Swen Lorenz, Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF). At the dinner Mr. Lorenz provided fascinating information to the attendees on the Darwin Foundation's work in the Galapagos Islands, and their affiliation with IWC. Mr. Lorenz informed us that IWC is one of the top five contributors to the organization, which is dedicated to the support and preservation of the Galapagos Islands. For fifty years, CDF has worked closely with the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), overseeing the safeguarding of the islands' natural resources, providing the results of scientific research to conserve this living laboratory. The Islands are truly a very special place on earth, and with their rich marine life and culture, a natural fit for a high end line of diver watches such as the IWC Aquatimer.

The event was held at Pelican Hill on the Newport Coast in Orange County, CA. Not quite the same variety of species as in the Galapagos, but good golf and beaches!

Mr. Lorenz at the dinner.

The dinner was held at the Club House at Pelican Hill Golf Course, a wonderful location in Orange County, California. Hosting for IWC were Mr. Johan Gyllenkrok, Boutique Director IWC Beverly Hills, Mr. Benjamin Shea, the new Boutique Director IWC South Coast Plaza and Ms. Lindsay Anderson, Assistant Boutique Manager IWC South Coast Plaza. Messrs. Gyllenkrok and Shea and Ms. Anderson were on hand to talk to the guests and IWC enthusiasts. Other boutique staff also attended and provided information on the brand's new Aquatimer collection of watches.

NOW FOR THE WATCHES!

The new IWC Aquatimer line features an updated design as well as many new technical features including rotating inner AND outer bezels with "SafeDive" system, whereas prior generations of the Aquatimer had one or the other (internal rotating bezel or external rotating bezel).

New Model Aquatimer 2000

At the event IWC had both chronograph and non-chronograph versions of the Aquatimer as well as several special editions to look at and try on. The hit of the evening was the new bronze Aquatimer, which was on the wrist of Mr. Lorenz! There were more requests for wrist shots of the bronze than anything else.

Mr. Lorenz pointed out that his watch has seen actual duty in the islands and is holding up well and in fact is even aging and improving quite nicely, as a bronze watch is intended to do!

Here is a shot of a new bronze in their advertisement

Another special edition of the new Aquatimer line is the Cousteau. It features a very nice blue dial, chrono function and day/date. It is self winding, with rubber strap and is 44 mm.

And yet another edition is the Galapagos. Again, self winding, with rubber strap and 44 mm.

Of course, many of the guests had their own IWC watches on their wrists including a couple Portuguese Chrono's, a brand new Da Vinci perpetual (sorry no picture of that one!), a Portofino and several IWC pilot's watches.

All in all, it was a very nice evening sponsored by IWC, and also for a good cause. The participants (including me) very much enjoyed the company, great food, excellent ambiance and nice wine. Of course, we learned a lot about the Darwin Foundation's incredible work, and as watch lovers enjoyed seeing (and trying on) the new Aquatimer line.

Thanks for looking!

Gary

Time may change me, but I can't trace time... @watchwineman on Instagram